Community Corrections

Go to the bottom of page.

Community corrections can be defined as a set of interrelated programs designed to prevent future criminal activity, by providing opportunities that allow ex-offenders to re-integrate themselves back into society, without compromising public order or safety. Facilities such as Halfway houses, Day Reporting Centers and Halfback houses focus on various forms of counseling to address the needs of ex-offenders. Daily programming include, but are not limited to, educational /vocational training, drug/ alcohol treatment, anger management and conflict resolution. In addition, community corrections also serve as a remedy to prison overcrowding. For instance, after completing a portion of their prison sentence, parolees are often mandated by the State Parole Board to attend these programs as alternatives to incarceration.

The concept of community corrections is one of rational thinking. In a broad sense, first, the major factors often associated with criminal behavior are identified.(i.e. education, drug addiction, employment) Second, community based programs are then structured with key components that target such factors. Third, offenders on either probation/parole, are placed in these facilities, some with specific instructions from the court/parole board, which indicate the type and amount of treatment they should receive. Ultimately, the desired outcome of community corrections is to ensure, that upon completing the program, ex-offenders will be less likely to continue any criminal behavior, thus aiding in crime reduction.

More importantly, in order to be effective, community correctional facilities must be evaluated and measured to determine their impact on, both the ex-offenders( i.e. recidivism rate) and society (i.e. crime rate). The success of community correctional facilities will depend, solely on the organization's management strategy and the way their programs are administered. Furthermore, practitioners in this field must be accountable for the services they render. Which means, in part, employing qualified staff members, conducting evaluations, and nevertheless, producing results.

It will take years of research to imply that community correctional facilities are 100% effective. Although, results from studies implemented in other states, suggests that ex-offenders are benefiting from this form of treatment. Conversely, national statistics show that a large percentage of the prison populations are recidivists and over 60% of those on probation/parole are likely to re-offend. Thus, underlying the need for community corrections in today's society.

Alternatives to Incarceration:

• Intensive Supervision Program
• Day Reporting Centers
• Intensive Parole Drug Program
• Residential Community Correctional Facilities/Halfway houses

Other information:

• Brief Biography
• Links
• Research Papers
• Resume

Return to the top of page.

Page 1 of 6

1 - 2 - 3 -4-5-6-Next page

A recent addition to my site is an informative search engine by Dr. Frank Schmalleger, which covers primarily every aspect of the criminal justice system including, community corrections, probation/parole, courts, juvenile justice etc. If you are interested in actual research studies on the aformentioned topics, the following links will be excellent resources: the National Institute of Justice and the National Institute of Corrections. I also recommend professional organizations such as American Probation and Parole Association that provide up-to-date information to members and individuals who are interested in the field.